Compare the2022 Mazda 3VS 2022 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Mazda 3 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Mazda 3 has standard Whiplash Reducing Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash Reducing Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Mazda 3 Turbo Premium Plus has a standard 360-Degree Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The 2 Series Gran Coupe only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the Mazda 3 and the 2 Series Gran Coupe have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Mazda 3 its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 74 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The 2 Series Gran Coupe is only a standard “Top Pick” for 2021.

Mazda’s powertrain warranty covers the 3 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the 2 Series Gran Coupe. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the 2 Series Gran Coupe ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 56 percent more Mazda dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the 3’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Mazda 3’s reliability 13 points higher than the 2 Series Gran Coupe.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda first in reliability. BMW is ranked 12th.

On the EPA test cycle the Mazda 3 Sedan gets better mileage than the 2 Series Gran Coupe:

On the EPA test cycle the Mazda 3 Hatchback gets better mileage than the 2 Series Gran Coupe:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Mazda 3 AWD non-turbo’s fuel efficiency. The 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mazda 3 higher (7 out of 10) than the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe (3 to 7). This means the Mazda 3 produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the 2 Series Gran Coupe every 15,000 miles.

The Mazda 3 offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The Mazda 3 stops shorter than the 2 Series Gran Coupe:

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Mazda 3’s wheelbase is 2.2 inches longer than on the 2 Series Gran Coupe (107.3 inches vs. 105.1 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Mazda 3’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s (34.8 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

The Mazda 3 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 400 pounds less than the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Mazda 3 Premium Hatchback is quieter than the M235i xDrive Gran Coupe:

The Mazda 3 Sedan has .9 inches more front legroom, .2 inches more front shoulder room, 1.5 inches more rear headroom, .7 inches more rear legroom and .4 inches more rear shoulder room than the 2 Series Gran Coupe.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Mazda 3’s headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Poor.”

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Mazda 3 has standard extendable sun visors. The 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer extendable visors.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mazda 3 offers an available wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The 2 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Mazda 3 comes in sedan and four door hatchback bodystyles; the BMW 2 Series Gran isn’t available as a four door hatchback.

Insurance will cost less for the Mazda 3 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Mazda 3 will cost $280 to $5165 less than the 2 Series Gran Coupe over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Mazda 3 will be $14118 to $16665 less than for the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe.

The Mazda 3 has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

The Mazda 3 outsold the BMW 2 Series by over two to one during the 2021 model year.